NEW YORK—Drivers in the Big Apple will be able to use their cell phones this year to pay for city parking.
Drivers will be able to park without stopping at the meter and printing out receipts. The upgraded meters will be in place by the end of the year.
"No more fumbling for change or scrambling to the meter to beat a ticket," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told ABC&NY.com.
Drivers also can add more time to meters by phone, and get credit for unused time they pay for. There are 13,700 meters across the five boroughs that govern 85,000 metered parking spaces. They accept coins, New York City Parking Cards and credit cards, and will continue to do so.
The Department of Transportation is developing the mobile application for drivers, and according to the city, there is no added cost from this proposal, the website reported.
The new system was tested in a pilot program in the Bronx's Belmont neighborhood, using 264 parking spaces and a 57-space DOT parking lot.